Following it's official release, I figure I should include some information about the actual game, for anyone new here.
So, the game is based on an old online puzzle game I played long ago (which despite my efforts, has remained undiscoverable ever since), where you had to navigate a spaceship to a final block, by 'hitting against' blocks inexplicably floating in space. I really enjoyed the game, so as part of my final year project at university I decided to remake it with a few more interesting features.
The game features a grid based layout, where you must navigate a player to a goal. Different colours can also be collected, which will affect the type of blocks that you will hit against.
In some of the harder levels, you can also mix colours (e.g. red + blue = purple), which will mean you can then hit against purple blocks.
The main aspect of my degree was the system that generates the levels, which was created through an evolutionary algorithm, using optimisation and recognition techniques so the system is able to 'learn' how a level should look, and generate them accordingly. This has lead to the creation of over 600 levels, and I will be looking to add more in future updates.
I would really appreciate any comments/feedback, this is my first Android game and I'd like to know where I need to improve.
For some the download link in the navigation isn't working, so if you want to try it out you can download it for Android here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marlow.josh.blockedgame
Blocked V2.1.6... and the rest
Theres been quite a lot of successive updates since the last post, mainly due to the previously fast approaching deadline for my project, which I'm now glad to say is officially finished!
So, since the last major update the following features have been added:
- A help screen on the main menu (finally!)
- A second game mode: casual has been added, allowing play of any level without the scoring or timing system
- Lots of minor GUI and performance improvements
- Now over 600 increasingly complex levels
I have also been considering an additional game mode: maze, which would function more like a traditional maze style game, still incorporating the coloured blocks.
My focus for the moment will be further GUI and overall appearance improvements, I'd also like to create a more helpful help/instruction system, built into the initial gameplay, rather than a separate section in the menu.
Following this I will begin work on more exciting features, like new blocks, new game modes, and multiplayer modes!
So, since the last major update the following features have been added:
- A help screen on the main menu (finally!)
- A second game mode: casual has been added, allowing play of any level without the scoring or timing system
- Lots of minor GUI and performance improvements
- Now over 600 increasingly complex levels
I have also been considering an additional game mode: maze, which would function more like a traditional maze style game, still incorporating the coloured blocks.
My focus for the moment will be further GUI and overall appearance improvements, I'd also like to create a more helpful help/instruction system, built into the initial gameplay, rather than a separate section in the menu.
Following this I will begin work on more exciting features, like new blocks, new game modes, and multiplayer modes!
Blocked - Progress Update and Future Plans
For now I have been working on creating a more sophisticated level generation system, which will allow the creation of more complex levels. Once this is done I will be releasing lots of new levels!
Since this game is for part of my degree at university, and the main focus of the game is the level generator, this will be my focus for now. However I plan to continue working on the game after my degree too!
-- Future Plans --
As far as things to do after I finish university, I have had a few ideas for things to include in the game. None are definite, just ideas I've had:
- New blocks
I'd like to have new blocks that do different things. I like the idea of a 'teleporting' block, so if there are two one a level, if you pass through one you will be transported to the other teleport block moving in the same direction. I've also thought about having small triangular blocks that 'bounce' you 90 degrees.
- New modes
Since adding the scoring system, I think this adds a more 'arcade' feel to it, where race to score as well as you can. For a different style of play I would like to add a 'casual' mode, to allow play on any level, but with no score and no timer.
- Multiplayer mode
This is just a distant idea, but I like the idea of players either racing to get to a goal (where players would pass through each other), or some type of coop mode, where players can hit into each other to reach new places, to work together to reach the goal.
- Level creator
Although previously mentioned, this is no longer something I am aiming to do for my degree, although is still something I would like to include at a later date.
- Some cosmetic changes
It's not worth doing in terms of my degree, but I still plan on creating a help screen with instructions, and I'd like to make everything look a bit fancier, art however is not my forte, and so is likely not to be done soon!
Since this game is for part of my degree at university, and the main focus of the game is the level generator, this will be my focus for now. However I plan to continue working on the game after my degree too!
-- Future Plans --
As far as things to do after I finish university, I have had a few ideas for things to include in the game. None are definite, just ideas I've had:
- New blocks
I'd like to have new blocks that do different things. I like the idea of a 'teleporting' block, so if there are two one a level, if you pass through one you will be transported to the other teleport block moving in the same direction. I've also thought about having small triangular blocks that 'bounce' you 90 degrees.
- New modes
Since adding the scoring system, I think this adds a more 'arcade' feel to it, where race to score as well as you can. For a different style of play I would like to add a 'casual' mode, to allow play on any level, but with no score and no timer.
- Multiplayer mode
This is just a distant idea, but I like the idea of players either racing to get to a goal (where players would pass through each other), or some type of coop mode, where players can hit into each other to reach new places, to work together to reach the goal.
- Level creator
Although previously mentioned, this is no longer something I am aiming to do for my degree, although is still something I would like to include at a later date.
- Some cosmetic changes
It's not worth doing in terms of my degree, but I still plan on creating a help screen with instructions, and I'd like to make everything look a bit fancier, art however is not my forte, and so is likely not to be done soon!
Blocked V2.1 Released
After quite some delay, the next update is finally ready! I have been focusing on a few things for this update:
- Scoring System
For each level you now collect a number of stars (1-3) depending on: how fast you complete the level, and the number of moves taken to reach the goal. The number of moves and the time will no longer reset upon death, but you can still restart the level if you choose. To score high you must find the shortest path to the goal - and do it quickly!
- Level Pack System
Levels are now organised into different packs, which will be used to group similar levels, and add new packs with different features!
- Level Selection Screen
Each level in a pack is now displayed as part of the menu, to allow for much simpler navigation of the levels.
- Robust Save Feature
Update have been made to how the data is saved in the game, meaning it is more reliable.
- GUI Update
Some minor tweaks have been made to the GUI to give a more consistent theme, and a mute button has been added (following a request!).
- Minor Bug Fixes
Some issues have been fixed that will improve the performance of the game.
--- For the next Update ---
I will be working on the algorithm that generates the levels, and will be releasing a number of more challenging levels.
If there is anything else you would like to see I would appreciate your feedback! Thanks!
-- New screenshots --
- Scoring System
For each level you now collect a number of stars (1-3) depending on: how fast you complete the level, and the number of moves taken to reach the goal. The number of moves and the time will no longer reset upon death, but you can still restart the level if you choose. To score high you must find the shortest path to the goal - and do it quickly!
- Level Pack System
Levels are now organised into different packs, which will be used to group similar levels, and add new packs with different features!
- Level Selection Screen
Each level in a pack is now displayed as part of the menu, to allow for much simpler navigation of the levels.
- Robust Save Feature
Update have been made to how the data is saved in the game, meaning it is more reliable.
- GUI Update
Some minor tweaks have been made to the GUI to give a more consistent theme, and a mute button has been added (following a request!).
- Minor Bug Fixes
Some issues have been fixed that will improve the performance of the game.
--- For the next Update ---
I will be working on the algorithm that generates the levels, and will be releasing a number of more challenging levels.
If there is anything else you would like to see I would appreciate your feedback! Thanks!
-- New screenshots --
Blocked V1.0.4 Released
- Fixed some issues of the movement animation not playing smoothly on some devices.
- Added GUI buttons to reset the level, or return to the main menu.
- Added GUI buttons to reset the level, or return to the main menu.
Blocked V1.0.31 Released
A minor update, that fixes an issue with the game not being saved when you press the back button. Also the menu screen should now display correctly on any screen size.
Blocked V1.0.3 Released
Just a small update with a few fixes:
- Implemented a save feature, so your current progress will always be saved.
- Fixed issues with the display of the minimum number of moves needed to complete a level.
- Long pressing on the arrows will now skip through 10 levels, to make navigating the levels easier until the I complete the level selection section.
- And 500 new levels have been generated, because why not?
- Implemented a save feature, so your current progress will always be saved.
- Fixed issues with the display of the minimum number of moves needed to complete a level.
- Long pressing on the arrows will now skip through 10 levels, to make navigating the levels easier until the I complete the level selection section.
- And 500 new levels have been generated, because why not?
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